Pages

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

In terms of how I remember spring and what I wrote in my journal (I'm considering spring to be from January - April), I had a pretty rough spring. The beginning of the year was a bit off kilter for me. I had a somewhat rough time adjusting to taking six classes during the spring semester and everything was just weird in my personal and school life. That is also probably the only explanation I can give to the complete lack of blog posts during that time.

If you listen to the song and see the photo I used that's kind of the reflection I wanted to give. The song I chose to represent this season is from a band one of my friends introduced me to in high school. I think it really captures the angst I was feeling in the spring.

I was kind of reinvigorated when I finished school in May (graduated with my Associate's degree holy smokes how did that happen?!) and summer began. I tried to let go of all the baggage from the beginning of the year and start fresh.

What do I remember about the summer? It was short. And reflective. Nothing too crazy. I was almost done with a rough spring. I was ready for a change. I was looking back on the last year. How much had I changed since the summer of the previous year before? There was almost a calm after the storm but everything was still murky and cloudy. There was also a lot of trying to return to normalcy.

I don't actually have as many journal pages from the summer as I hoped I would to give me a better sense of what happened and what I did. (I'm considering summer from May - August). It was also my 20th birthday that June and I was trying to figure out what it felt like to no longer be a teenager (although nothing really drastically changed, everything kind of had...). Also learning to let go of things and move on.

Summer was also when I decided that I would be putting more of a concerted effort into my blog. I felt like I was done being unhappy with unpleasant circumstances and ready to take the reigns in my life. I was really preparing to go my own way, emotionally with my personal life and professionally with my blog.

If had to describe Autumn with a single word it would probably be 'change'.

This is also when I personally started to realize how much I've changed. My work ethic was a little better from last semester and I changed my style a little bit too.

Autumn has always been my favorite season. I think by the time September rolled around I was ready for...something. I definitely have a lot of journal pages from the fall season (which I'm considering from September - November). But overall what did I learn during this season? I guess how to adjust with movement and change.

I definitely took time out at the beginning of the season to write out a little list of things I wanted for myself and I'm glad to say I actually worked towards some of them these past couple of months. Like trusting myself and my decisions and forgiving myself for not knowing better about certain situations in the past.

Although there were some tumultuous, emotional times from this fall, I'd like to think the good outweighed the bad.

"She's come to the end,a rough road 'round the bend pullsher back from the edge."Well, here we are at the end of December. The winter has been a little cold but not too bad.

I spent this winter working hard, trying to finish strong with schoolwork and still adjusting to some major changes in my personal life. Also doing a lot of dreaming.

This was also the time I realized that I'm going to start making goals and plans for the new year. Maybe that's what went wrong with the beginning of the year. I wasn't really excited because I didn't have anything planned. Now I'm moving more into the planning and goal setting state of mind. I have a lot of things I want to accomplish in 2016 and I'm ready for it.

I think in the winter I've come to know myself more, which is kind of a relief. I refuse to spend 2016 feeling like I'm wandering aimlessly in the dark. In the winter I found a new light, a new hope, and a new direction in working to solidify my intentions for the new year.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Hello all! Just wanted to share some photos of a new planner I purchased recently. It's the Barnes and Noble 2016 Desk Diary. It's also the "Literary Datebook" Edition so it comes with lots of cool short essays and illustrations pertaining to prominent literary figures. Not to mention it's super pretty and classic looking.

It's coming to the end of the year of 2015 and I'm realizing that I've been stressing myself out a lot this year. From leaving school assignments till the last minute to not making time to hang out with my friends, I've decided it's time for a change. And that first change is going to be with organizing my life more. A quote I heard recently went:

"Be kind to your future self."

It really resonated with me because if I wanted to be kind to my future self, I wouldn't give myself anxiety by procrastinating and leaving my life tasks ad goals all discombobulated. So step one for me will be simply planning. Next step: goal setting. (I know they sound kind of the same but trust me they're different lol...)

Be sure to check out the little Youtube video I shot for the planner. After watching tons of planner videos on Youtube I think I'm officially hooked. This was my first time trying it so I'm excited to learn more about editing videos and such. (Promise these will get better too!) I'm excited for 2016, how about you? :]

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Hey guys! Just a quick currently post. My blog schedule will be changing and updating very soon. I have some plans in the works to make this blog bigger and better. Trying to make this thing more solid. Onward and upward!

Listening: "Girls Love Beyonce" By Drake feat. James Fauntleroy, "Exchange" by Bryson Tiller, "I Know" by Big Sean feat. Jhene AikoMaking: Plans to get more organized.Cooking: Rice and pasta with sautéed vegetables and mushrooms.Drinking: Pineapple orange juice.Reading: (In very slow process lol) The Prospero's War series by Jaye Wells and The Artist's Way by Julia CameronWanting: More time to get everything done.Looking: At a pile of moving boxes.Wasting: Nothing (I hope).Wishing: For a calm weekend.Enjoying: Getting breakfast from from Dunkin Donuts. Snapchat (My username: lizzvisions). The moodiness of my photography in the fall/winter season.Growing: Up, hopefully.Watching:Quantico and Scream Queens.Collecting: More notebooks to write in.Wearing: Grey socks, brown moccasins, grey leggings, my favorite at-home hoodie and a black scarfNoticing: How time is flying by...Thinking: About the future.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Hello, all! So I just wanted to share a little floral watercolor painting I did the other day. I haven't painted with watercolors (or even drawn) in such a long time it feels like I'm learning to walk again. I'm hoping it will start to feel as natural as it did before.

Rather, I intend to work hard on my art skills so it can start to feel as natural as it did before. Maybe the problem is not knowing what to draw or the techniques to make it happen but whatever it is I really just want to get creating again. Hopefully this will be the impetus to getting more art on the blog again!

The top photo is a close up and the second photo is an edit I made to give the pattern a mirror effect. Any other art bloggers out there with tips on getting through artist block?

We decided to do a themed gift box swap where we would choose gifts for each other based on each others blogs and also around the theme of "Summer of Wonder". I got home from work to a large package waiting for me (!!!) and decided to take lots of unboxing photos. Okay, so here are the gifts:

one // some lovely cute gift wrapping by RG, it was so pretty I almost didn't want to unwrap anything!two // a kindly written letter that accompanied one of the gifts with a floral coverthree // a charming letter by RG given with the amazing art paper pads she got mefour // all of these paper pads have different textures so they can be used for multiple art mediums!five // one of my absolute favorite things she got me - hand lotion in my favorite scent vanilla and a lovely eucalyptus spearmint body spray that I've been wearing everyday since I got it! both have really cute notes attached to the top!six - nine // an adorable blue and pink floral cosmetics pouch filled with nail art goodies; two lipsticks with an attaching cell phone mirror; (in the wrapped package) a dual charger and fragrance clip for my car.ten - eleven // my other absolute favorite thing she got was this beautiful gold pattern notebook with a sweet note attached to motivate me to keep writing, it literally glitters in the sunlight I cant wait to start writing in it!

I can't say thank you enough to RG for her creative and thoughtful gifts. She really is an amazing girl so make sure you follow her blog and other social media links!

one // Kinfolk Magazine Issue Sixteen --- I am in love with the aesthetic of this magazine. I also love the diversity and simple modern beauty of the models in their editorials. I've been following them on Instagram for a while so I think it's time for me to buy the real thing to add to my bookshelf.

two // TOMS Classic Canvas Shoes in Natural --- I've read great things about this brand for years and not only are they driven by an admirable social missionbut they make stylish casual shoes for a comfy day at work or a day out in the neighborhood.

three // Canon PowerShot G7X Digital Camera --- Confession: I don't actually own my own digital camera and I take most of my blog photos with my iPhone (which is surprisingly good quality). I'm long overdue for an upgrade and this camera is the go to choice for some of my favorite youtubers. The video quality is amazing but I'm the most excited for the flip up screen. Selfie, anyone? ;]

four // Mario Badescu Skin Care Products --- I think I mentioned before that my skin is oily/acne prone (ugh!) and I'm trying to take better care of my skin. I'm trying to build a regimen this summer so I will be trying some new products to help clear up my skin. Two of my favorite beauty bloggers (Claire Marshall @ Hey Claire and Felicia @ This That Beauty) both mention this brand's cleansers and toners as effective acne fighting products so I will be purchasing them to give it a try. Specifically I'd like to try the Acne Facial Cleanser, Glycolic Acid Toner, and the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Hello, all! So today I thought I would share some inspiring home and garden Pinterest finds. If you're like me and you spend an obscene amount of time on Pinterest then you know how lovely it can be to daydream your favorite home, outfit ideas or even career tips. If Pinterest is good for anything it is definitely a good tool for helping you figure out what is important to you, what are your wishing for, what are you working for...just something to think about. What's inspiring you lately? :]

NARS MINI LIP PENCILS
These pencils lasted all day for me! I wore Cruella on my birthday and the day before to work and got multiple compliments on my cute, red makeup look. It doesn't fade at all or wipe of onto things you happen to touch during the day. I only reapplied it because I loved the color so much. And the best part is that it comes off super easy with a simple makeup wipe! I used Rikugien as a sheer cover over my current everyday matte lip look. It adds a slightly shimmer orangey-peach tone layer over whatever your wearing and is subtle enough to wear by itself.

HOURGLASS LIQUID LIPSTICK
I liked this product but I wouldn't wear it on its own, it's a little too light in color for my taste. It forms a nice matte finish over my deep colored lip pencils but again, I don't really like the color.

NYX SLIM LIP PENCILS
I am in love with these lip pencils! I have been wearing both of them together for a matte lip everyday look for the past couple of weeks. They were also super cheap! They don't last as long as the NARS matte lip pencils but that might have something to do with my application (QUICK TIP: It helps to exfoliate your lips before you try a matte lip look). I would definitely recommend these lip pencils. Both colors are a bit similar but the Burgundy has more deep purple tones while Mahogany has a bit of brown. On deeper skin tones these colors will definitely make your smile pop!

Here are some swatches of the products on my skin tone. Let me know your thoughts on these products! :]

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Hello all! My blog has been pretty quiet due to college + work + family stuff taking up most of my time but I'm back and ready to continue with this lovely little space of the Internet. I think a great way for us to get reacquainted would be a nice 50 Facts About Me post! Keep reading for more :]

1. My first name is Elizabeth but my most of my friends call me Lizz.
2. I am a Gemini sun sign with an Aquarius rising/ascendent and Scorpio moon sign.
3. I'm also an INFJ (so I'm not as chatty as most Gemini's).
4. If you couldn't tell from that last fact I'm really into astrology.
5. I'm not really sure if I fear anything but I get teary eyed thinking about being without my family and I get super freaked out around bugs. Especially spiders. Me + Spiders = no bueno.
6. I am one of four children. I have two sisters and a younger brother.
7. I am 20 years old.
8. I was born on a Friday.
9. I place my glasses on the windowsill of my bedroom every morning.
10. Autumn is probably my favorite season.

11. Although I don't really like picking favorites, I think they are too exclusive.
12. Three things I love are hanging out with my siblings, traveling and connecting with people.
13. I went to see Jurassic World in 3D opening weekend and it was phenomenal.
14. The last song I listened to was "Work Song" by Hozier.
15. I have been keeping journals/notebooks/sketchbooks since elementary school.
16. I think pretentiousness and ignorance are the most unattractive traits in a person.
17. I have zero tattoos (probably the fickle Gemini in me) and my only piercings are my ears.
18. Confession: I've lived in New Jersey almost all of my life but have never been to the Jersey Shore.
19. I don't have any pets currently but I would love to have some in the near future.
20. I'd say I'm pretty talented at writing and drawing.

21. I love to read.

22. I have a pretty large magazine collection (which I'm hoping will grow even bigger).

26. I love experimenting with makeup and skincare.
27. I'm currently trying to figure out the best routine for my oily/acne prone skin.
28. More often than not I'm referred to as "the quiet one".
29. My taste in trap music tends to surprise people.
30. I despise trips to the dentist.

31. I am the worst when it come to maintaining my natural nails and hair but I'm getting better at it.
32. I didn't get my drivers license until I was 19.
33. I did ballet for a little bit when I was in second grade.
34. I still get excited when I see squirrels or deer in my front yard.
35. I'm not really into sports but I'm slightly obsessed with hockey players, particularly the Chicago Blackhawks, the Philly Flyers, The Dallas Stars and The Montreal Canadiens.
36. I watch a lot of television.
37. I'm not very good at watching the entire season of TV shows, even my favorite ones.
38. That being said, I haven't missed a single episode of Teen Wolf on MTV and I'm super excited for the new season.
39. I think the people who make fan photo edits, compilation videos, gifs, etc. on Tumblr and Youtube for TV shows/fandoms deserve an award.
40. I love getting letters, cards and packages by postal mail and I'm looking for a way to do it more often.

41. I think it would be pretty cool to have a pen pal from another country.
42. I'm (slowly) learning to not judge myself.
43. I am a (slightly struggling) vegetarian who hopes to become an amazing vegan on day.
44. I'm kind of obsessed with taking pictures flowers and posting them on my Instagram.
45. I'm kind of obsessed with Instagram in general.
46. I had braces throughout most of high school.
47. I didn't really enjoy high school at all.
48. I have been wearing glasses since the 5th grade.
49. Every year I try to get the frames bigger and rounder.
50. One of my goals this summer is to get back into making art every day.

Well that's all...for now at least. Make sure to leave one fact about yourself in the comment section!